POLYUNSATURATED FAT.A type of fat found in
some vegetable oils, such as sunflower, safflower,
and corn.POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID.A fatty acid mole-
cule with two or more double bonds, known to be
beneficial to health when consumed in moderate
amounts.
POLYURIA.An excessive production of urine.POMELO.A large pear-shaped citrus fruit with a
thick rind that was crossed with the sweet orange in the
West Indies to produce the modern grapefruit.
POSTPARTUM.This refers to the period of time
after childbirth.POST-PRANDIAL REACTIVE HYPERINSULINEMIA. A
condition resulting from excess insulin production
after eating.PREBIOTICS.Substances that help manage bac-
teria. Two principal types commonly used are the
mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) that bind potentially
harmful bacteria in the gut and allow beneficial bac-
teria to dominate, and fructanoligosaccharides (FOS)
that deliver fructans into the fore gut to ’feed’ the acid
producing bacteria.PRE-LOADING.Administering in advance, such as
drinking water prior to exercise that is likely to cause
water loss.PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS).A syndrome that
involves symptoms that occur in relation to the men-
strual cycle and which interfere with the woman’s life.
The symptoms usually begin 5 to 11 days before the
start of menstruation and usually stop when men-
struation begins, or shortly thereafter. Symptoms
may include headache, swelling of ankles, feet, and
hands, backache, abdominal cramps or heaviness,
abdominal pain, bloating, or fullness, muscle spasms,
breast tenderness, weight gain, recurrent cold sores,
acne flare-ups, nausea, constipation or diarrhea,
decreased coordination, food cravings, less tolerance
for noises and lights, and painful menstruation.PREMIER STUDY.A research study that tested the
effects of comprehensive and simultaneous lifestyle
changes on blood pressure—weight loss, exercise,
and a healthy diet.
PRIMARY PULMONARY HYPERTENSION. Abnor-
mally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs,
with no other heart disease causing this problem.PROBIOTICS.Probiotics are dietary supplements
containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast.PROCYANIDIN.These are associated with flava-
noid antioxidants derived from grape seed extract,
grape skin and red wine.Like Quercetin and Resvera-
trol they have many health-promoting benefits.
PROGESTERONE.A female steroid hormone secreted
by the ovary; it is produced by the placenta in large
quantities during pregnancy.PROKINETIC DRUGS.A class of medications given
to strengthen the motility of the digestive tract.
PROLAPSE.The falling down or slipping out of
place of an organ or part.PROSCRIPTION.prohibitions, rules against.
PROSTAGLANDINS.A group of biologically impor-
tant molecules that have hormone-like actions. They
help regulate expansion of the blood vessels and the
airways, control inflammation, are found in semen,
and cause the uterus to contract. They are made
from fatty acids.
PROTEASES.Enzymes that break peptide bonds
between the amino acids of proteins.PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS.Biochemical process, in
which proteins are synthesized from simple amino
acids.
PROTEIN SEQUENCE.The arrangement of amino
acids in a protein.
PROTEIN.A nutrient that helps build many parts of
the body, including muscle and bone. Protein provides
4 calories per gram. It is found in foods like meat, fish,
poultry, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and tofu.PROTEINS.These are large molecules which are
made up of thousands of amino acids. The primary
function of protein is growth and repair of body
tissues.
PROTEOME.All of the proteins expressed in a cell,
tissue, or organism.
PROTOZOAN.Any member of a phylum of one-
celled eukaryotes (organisms with nuclei) that are able
to move but are not animals in the strict sense. The
organism that causes giardiasis is a protozoan.PROVITAMIN.A substance that the body can con-
vert into a vitamin.
PSORIASIS.A chronic disease of the skin marked by
red patches covered with white scales.PSYCHOANALYSIS. A psychological theory that
concerns the mental functions of humans both on the
conscious and unconscious levels.Glossary